Third-Son Effect Sweeps Korean Peninsula


By Kim Tae-gyu

Staff Reporter

A Korean proverb says that when arranging a marriage with a third daughter, there is no need to look at her face as she is supposed to be beautiful. In Korean culture, there is something special about the third daughter.

That also seems to be the case for males here because some prominent leaders or their heirs on both sides of the 38th parallel are third sons, who defeated their elder brothers in power struggles.

Kim Jong-un, who is expected to succeed ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, is a third son. Originally, the eldest son Kim Jong-nam was expected to take power, but of late, Kim Jong-un has emerged as the strongest candidate.

The Mainichi Shimbun released a photograph Tuesday, which the Japanese daily claims features Kim Jong-un next to Kim Jong-il published in the March 5 edition of the North Korean newspaper the Rodong Sinmun.

However, the figure in question purportedly appears to be an official at a Kimchaek-based steel mill in North Hamgyeong Province.

South Korea's wealthiest man Lee Kun-hee, head of the Samsung Group, is also the third son of the conglomerate founder Lee Byung-chull.

Initially, the Samsung founder thought of handing over the group to his eldest son but the plan was jettisoned for some reason and third-son Lee Kun-hee was selected to inherit the Samsung empire.

Lee resigned back in 2008 during a prosecution probe into him but returned to the chairmanship in late March after the government granted a special pardon to the tycoon during the waning days of last year.

Back then, the Seoul administration said that the pardon was given so that Lee could support PyeongChang's third bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics because he has a seat on the International Olympic Committee.

Famous third sons are also easily found in the history of Korea, and included in the most outstanding examples are King Sejong, who is touted as the greatest king here, and Admiral Yi Sun-shin, admired as the greatest military commander.

As the fourth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), King Sejong created hangeul or the Korean alphabet, with a team of scholars. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is named after the king.

Kim Jong-il's first son reportedly faced an assassination attempt midway through last year just after Kim Jong-un was named as the beneficiary of the father-to-son power transfer. He managed to survive the attempt, though.

After Lee Kun-hee took charge of Samsung, his eldest brother spent time wandering the country, disappointed with the decision.

Things are similar to two brothers of King Sejong. The eldest one spent his entire life roaming around the country and the second son became a Buddhist monk.
voc200@koreatimes.co.k

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